Automatic overflow outlet for plumbing fixtures, etc.



"Feb. 16, 1926.

C. L. DAWSON AUTOMATIC OVERFLOW OUTLET-FOR PLUMBING FIXTURES,

ETC

Filed August 6, 1925 INVENTOR. /arw0l.flazuaan ATTORNEY Patented Feb. 16, 1926.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

AUTOMA'I IC OVERFLOW OUTLET FOR PLUMBING FIXTURES,'ETC.

Application filed August 6, 1925. Serial No. 48,479.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CLARENCE L. Dawson, a citizen of the United States, residing at Les Angelcs, in the county of Los Angelcs and State of California, have invented new and useful Improvements in Automatic Overflow Outlets for Plumbing Fixtures, Etc, of which the following is a specification.

This invention particularly pertains to a combined overflow and drain outlet which is especially adapted for use in bath tubs and has as its primaryobject the provision of a means whereby an overflow and drain outlet may be embodied in a single fitting which may be applied to the ordinary drain outlet of a bath tub orthe like and thus eliminate theuse of a separate overflow, such as is ordinarily employed in bath tub construction.

The invention resides generally in the provision of a fitting adapted to be attached to the drain opening of a bath tub or the like which embodies at least one outlet fitted with a closure member which normally maintains the outletclosed but which is adapted to automatically open under pressure of a predetermined head of water in the bath tub, so as to automatically effect the discharge of excess water from the tub and thereby insure against the tub being filled to overflowing. r

The invention further resides in the provision of a means whereby the automatic closure may be manually disposed in an open position to effect drainage of the tub and which is adapted when operated to open said closure to provide an increased outlet to the flow of water'through the fitting when draining the tub.

The invention resides more specifically in forming the closure of. the automatic outlet of a loose sphere or ball supported on an inclined runway and arranged to normally close the outlet or discharge port by gravity in opposition to a head of water and operable to move upwardly 011 the runway under the influence of a predetermined water pressure to open the discharge'port, and adapted 011 release of pressure to return to the port closing position.

The invention is illustratedin the acco1npanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 1s a view show ng theappllcation of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a horizontal section and plan view 1y, 6 indicates a bath tub or the like pro vided with an outlet 7 in the bottom thereof, and Sdesignates generally the outlet control de vice embodying the present invention, which device includes a shell or casing 9, enciosinga chamber 10 provided with an in let passage .11 and discharge passage 12. The passages 11 and 12 are formed ofnipples 13 and 14, respectively; the nipple 13 being adapted to be screwed into the tub outlet 7 and the nipple 14 being adapted to be connected to the upper end portion 15 of i the usual trap leading to a suitable discharge pJpe not shown.

In carrying out the invention, the nipple 13 is provided with a tubular extension 16 p which projects into the chamber 10 in spaced relation to the side walls of. the latter and which extension is termed with one or more ports or outlets 17 in the side walls thereofwhch open to the'chamber 10. The lower end of the extension 16 is provided with a wall 18 formed with an aperture 19 adapted to be closed by a valve 20 carried on anupwardly projecting stem 21 leading through a handle 22 here shown as comprising a disc which extends over the upper end portion of the nipple 13 and projects outlet 7, as shown in Fig. 1.

Mounted in the nipple 13 is a spider 23 through which the stem 21 extends and which affords a bearing in which the stem is turnable and vertically slidable. An upwardly projecting flange 2 1 is formed on the spider which flange has oppositely inclined top faces 25 and 26 leading upwardly to a notch 27 formed in theupper edge of the flange 24: and extending in radial relation to the axis of the valve stem 21. Projecting from the stem 21 is a pin 28 which is adaptabove the tub the nipple 13 and fitted at its upperend with p on the extension 16 which flange is spaced from the plate 30 and pro ects over the ed on turning of the stem in either direction to ride'np either of the inclined faces 25 and 26 so as to effect vertical movement of the stem to lift the valve 20 and open the aperture 18; the valve being held in its open position when the pin 28 is seated in the notch 27.

Each )ort 17 is nor-mall closed from the exterior of the extension 16 by means of a weighted sphere or ball 29 which is supported on an inclined runway A located in the chamber 10 and which sphere is adapted to extend into the port and closely seat on the margin thereof. A preferably comprises a plate or flange 30 provided with a'slot 3i as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, which plate is carried by theextension 16; the sidevi'i'iargins oi the slot 31 formin a track on whichthe sphere 29 may travel. As a means for preventing the the sphere from being unseated from the slot 31 an inclined flange32 is providet v serve to maintain the ports 17 closed against a predetermined head of water in the tub,

the pressure-of which is imposed on the spheres 29.

The diameter of thevalve 20 is such that its'outer margin will project beneath the portions of the spheres 29 extending tl'irough the'ports 17 when the spheres are in their closed positions, as shown in'Fig. 3, and the spheres are located in such proximity to the valve 20 that when the latter is moved to its uppermost position as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 3 the margin of the valve will en gage the sphere 29 and act to move the spheres outwardly on the inclined runways A to open the ports 17 when the valve 20 is inits fully open position.

lVhen the ports 17 and 18 are closed the tub may be tilled until the head of Water is suflicient to exert such pressure on the spheres 29 as to force the latter outwardly and open the ports 17, thus automatically effecting discharge of excess water from the tub and preventing overflow thereof; the spheres 29 returning to the port-closing posi-tion when the water pressure thereon falls to a point insuflici-ent to sustain the spheres 29 in their port opening positions. W'hen The inclined runway it is desired to drain the tub the valve 20 is lifted as before described, thereby opening the aperture 18 and also opening the ports 17 by forcing the spheres29 outwardly away from the latter.

In order that thewspheres 29 will not be caused to open the ports 17 by the force of water discharged from the spigot in filling the tub the hand-hold 22 of the valve stem 21 is designed so that it will extend over the tub outlet and prevent the stream discharged from the spigot from directly en tering the nipple 13. V

As a means for limiting upward movement of the valve stem 21 a collar is arranged on the latter at such point. that when the stem is lified to position the valve on a plane slightly belowi'he horizontal axes of the spheres 29 the collar 35 will abut against the underside of the spider 23 and thus prevent the valve being lifted to a ioint above the middle of the spheres.

By providing the arrangement whereby opening the valve 22 will also open the overflow outlets l? a large discharge area is e lfectedsomewhat in. excess of the area of the intake of the device.

It is to be understood that the manner of carrying the invention into effect is herein specifically set forth to enable those sk lled in the art to make and use the same and is to be considered as illustrative and not in a limiting sense; and that various changes may be made in the parts and in their construction and arrangement within the meaning of the terms and scope of the appended claims Without departing atrom the spirit of the invention.

,1. In a combined over-flow and drain outlet of the character described, a housing having-an inlet and an outlet, a tubular extension leading into the housing from the inlet formed with a side wall port, an inclined runway, a'ball closure for said port arranged in said runway adapted to automatically open under the influence of the pressure of liquid delivered to the inlet, and manually operated means extending through said inlet for opening said closure.

2. In a combined overflow and drain outlet of the character described, a housing having an inlet passage and an outlet passage, a tubular extension leading from the inlet passage into said housing formed with a side wall port, a weighted sphere normally closing said port from the exterior of said extension, an inclined guide-way supporting said sphere, and means operable from the exterior of said housing through said inlet passage for moving said sphere up said inclinedguideway to its port opening position. i

3. Ina combined overflow and drain outlet of the character described, a housing having an inlet passage and an outlet passage, a tubular extension leading from the inlet passage into said housing having an end wall formed with an aperture, a valve for closing said aperture, a stem on said valve projecting upwardly through the inlet passage, said extension being provided with at least one side wall port, a gravity operated closure normally closing said port adapted to open outwardly under pressure oi a head of liquid directed thereagainst from the interior of said tubular extension, and said closure being: adapted to be'opened by lifting said valve to its open position.

a. In a combined. overflow and drain outlot of the character described, a housing having auinlet passage and'an outlet passage, a tubular extension leading from the inlet passage into the interior of said housing having a plurality of side wall ports, inclined runways leading upwardly from said ports exteriorly of said tubular extension, weighted spheres supported 011 said runways normally closing said ports and adapted to be moved outwardly and upwardly on said guideways under the influence of fluid pressure directed thereagainst from the interior of said tubular extension, and manually operable means for collectively disposing said spheres in theirportopening positions.

5. In a combined overflow and drain outlet of the character described, a housing having an inlet passage and an outlet pas- ,age, a tubular extension leading from the inlet passage into the interior of said housinghaving a plurality of side wall ports, inclined runways leading upwardly from said ports exteriorly of said tubular extenson, weighted spheres supported on said runways normally closing said ports and adapted to be moved outwardly and upwardly on said runways under the influence of fluid pressure directed thereagainst from the interior of said tubular extension, said tubular extension being formed with an end aperture, a reciprocal valve for closing said aperture, a stem on said valve projecting wardly on said runways under the influence of fluid pressure directed there-against from tubular extension being formed with an end aperture, a reciprocal valve for closing said aperture, a stem on said valve projecting upwardly through the inlet passage, said valve being adapted on being elevated to collectively move said spheres outwardly operable on turning said valve stem to raise and lower said valve. 7

7. In a combined overflow and drain outlet of the character described, a housing having an inlet and'an outlet passage, a

, tubular extension leading from the inlet "passage into the housng having an end wall the interior oi said tubular extension, said to their port-opening positions, and means i formed with an aperture, a valve for clos--' ing said aperture, a stem on said valve extending upwardly through the inlet passage, means whereby turning said stem will lift said valve, said tubular extension being formed with a plurality of side wall ports, and weighted spheres normally seating on the margins of said ports arranged exteriorly of the tubular extension and projecting through said ports into the path of travel of said valve, whereby on lifting said valve said spheres will "be moved outwardly collectively to open said ports.

In testimony whereof I have aflixed my signature. 4

CLARENCE L. DAWSON. 

